Azimio leader Raila Odinga, on Wednesday, February 15, cracked the whip after announcing changes to the coalition's leadership in the Senate.
Speaking at a press briefing after a roundtable with Azimio senator, Raila announced that Steward Madzayo would be the Minority leader and he would be deputised by Senator Enoch Wambua.
Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina was appointed as the chief whip and would be deputised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
"We have asked our members to continue to represent Azimio effectively in the House. Azimio stands for the defense of the people of Kenya," he stated.
Ole Kina replaced Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo who was dewhipped.
Raila noted that the leadership changes were aimed at bolstering the opposition to effectively articulate issues affecting the nation.
The former premier also took a swipe at President William Ruto for calling a national prayer day on Tuesday, February 14- pointing out that prayers would not save him.
" We want them to continue to articulate issues that are affecting our people right now. We have also talked about the challenges that this country is facing today.
He added that the Azimio leadership would ensure that the country continues to enjoy multipartism as fought for during the colonial times.
"The issue of electoral justice that we're talking about, this is not an issue that is going to die until it's properly resolved. The elections were rigged and it does not matter if Mr. Ruto shouts, or how many times he prays.
"The prayer is not going to help get away with theft of elections. People fought for a long time to bring multi-partism back to the country and we're not going to surrender it again and bring it back to the dark days of single-party dictatorship where elections were basically manipulated."
Raila directed the Members of Parliament to defend electoral justice in the country by ensuring an accountable and transparent commission constituted in a fair process.
"If they wanted Kenyans to be led by the minority, fine but Kenyans have to make that decision themselves. Do we wish to put these things under the carpet?
"Someone got 5 million votes while another got 8 million. Those are the facts. We must defend electoral justice in our country and this is what we have told our Members of Parliament to defend our rights. This will not go away," Raila pointed out.
The ODM party leader also announced plans to hold national prayers for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Without revealing the date, Raila stated that the prayers would be held in the coming week outside IEBC's main offices at Anniversary towers, along the University Way.
The Senate leadership changes came on the backdrop of growing rebellion within Azimio, as affiliated parties warm up to President Ruto.
